Warm and affectionate tributes have been paid in memory of a mainstay of the Penruddock and Motherby community, Mavis Head, who has died aged 80.
“We did everything together – she was the best,” said husband, Alan, following the death of his wife on the morning of their 61st wedding anniversary.
Mavis, of Church Row, Penruddock, was born on August 5, 1940, at Motherby, the daughter of Bill and Annie Thomlinson.
She went to Sowerby Row School and Hutton Marr before attending the Girls’ National School in Penrith.
After leaving school, she first went to work for the Todds at Long Meg Farm.
She met Alan, her husband-to-be at a hunt ball in Watermillock a year before they married on 28th May, 1960.
At the time, Alan was living in Troutbeck and was a lime spreader driver on the mountains in Scotland, while Mavis was working at Glencoyne Farm, near Ullswater.
The couple, who were made honorary life members of the Cumbria Steam and Vintage Vehicle Society, were very well-known throughout the county and beyond for their collection of vintage memorabilia which had been amassed over 50 years.
This included 220 different kinds of shaving mugs, 130 different kinds of razor blades, just over 300 different kinds of smoothing irons. The collection also includes over 200 cigarette tins and pipes, plus more than 70 pairs old clogs and farm boots.
The first event they attended together as a married couple was Keswick show in 1971 where they were showing irons.
Two years later, in 1973, they acted as stewards of the collection of models at the first Cumbria Steam Gathering at Kendal and were ever present at the popular event which then moved to Flookburgh in 1986.
Steve Morris, of Cumbria Steam Gathering, said Mavis would be greatly missed in the society for her work and devotion.
“Alongside her devoted husband, Alan, they stewarded the collection section in an impeccable manner, always very helpful and welcoming to all exhibitors and visiting public. Thanks Mavis, you were brilliant, we all loved you.”
The couple were also members of the West Cumbria Vintage Club and never missed their rally events which were held at Hayes Castle, Distington.
“She never missed a rally,” said Alan. “She used to help empty the boxes on to the table and I would set them out and she would go off and have a look around. She enjoyed it and loved talking to people.”
As well as shows and rallies, there were also visits to care homes, schools, young farmers’ groups, women’s guilds and WIs with various vintage items from the collection.
“She sat among them and talked to them. She enjoyed it,” said Alan.
As a keen knitter, she enjoyed making very nice shawls for any babies born in the community. She also helped to run a play school in Penruddock and would lend a hand wherever she could if somebody was struggling.
“She would help anybody. I miss her. We have never had an argument. Wherever we went, we held hands. She was the best,” added Alan.
Mavis is survived by Alan, four children, Norman, who lives near Rugby, Maurice, of Falkirk, Alan, who lives near Spalding, and Karen, of Chesterfield,
plus two grandchildren, Jordon, 22, and Emma, nine.
The funeral was held at Carlisle crematorium and Walkers Funeral Directors, Penrith, had charge of arrangements.
